Wedding Receptions: Brunch Morning Wedding Reception

Q. My fiancÚ and I are planning on a morning
reception, sort of a brunch type, from 9 to 11 am. I have many questions
concerning the colors for this time of day. I had thought of using flowers such
as lavender, daisies, wild flowers, and lots of greenery, baby's breath... but I
wonder if that would look well. I am also in need of ideas for menus, and an
itinerary for a wedding at that hour. We thought of having music played in the
background while guests eat, talk, and we take our pictures. Please, I would be
very grateful for any ideas and suggestions you can give me.

A My fiancÚ and I are planning on a morning
reception, sort of a brunch type, from 9 to 11 am. I have many questions
concerning the colors for this time of day. I had thought of using flowers such
as lavender, daisies, wild flowers, and lots of greenery, baby's breath... but I
wonder if that would look well. I am also in need of ideas for menus, and an
itinerary for a wedding at that hour. We thought of having music played in the
background while guests eat, talk, and we take our pictures. Please, I would be
very grateful for any ideas and suggestions you can give me.

We are happy to help relieve some of the mystery and confusion in wedding
planning if we can. You don't mention what time the wedding will be, so I assume
that it will be quite early.

A few things are different at a brunch or a lunch reception than at one held
later in the day. People don't dance early in the day, so you don't need the
expense of hiring a DJ unless you particularly want one. You can also dispense
with the first dances unless doing them is important to you. If it is, that will
be all the dancing that probably occurs.

In the morning, people don't drink either, except perhaps a champagne toast.
That saves you the cost of alcohol.

I agree that it would be a good idea to have music playing in the background
while guests are eating and you are taking pictures. You don't mention where the
reception will be held. If it will be at a restaurant or a facility that has
background music, that is all you will need. Otherwise, bring in a CD player and
several CDs.

Your choice of flowers sounds lovely. They will brighten up things nicely.

If you want to serve wedding cake, do so. If cake isn't your thing, you might
choose to serve another type of dessert more suited to the hour. I had a wedding
last year where the couple served German obst kuchen, a light sponge cake
covered with a thin layer of sweetened cream cheese, then covered with sliced
fruit. Do you like cinnamon rolls? You might have a giant cinnamon roll made for
you to cut for pictures, then serve. You could have several large ones or one
large one and many smaller ones.

For your menu, you might serve two or three varieties of quiche or frittata,
mixed fruit salad, and muffins with coffee and juices to drink.

With only 2 hours, you won't be able to do many things, but you won't need to.
You can eat, then cut your cake or dessert and have it served, do toasts if you
want to, then mingle with your guests until about 10:40 or 10:45. Do your
bouquet and garter toss at that time as a signal that things are coming to an
end soon. If you want to have guests blow bubbles as you leave, or toss rice,
birdseed or flower petals (assuming that the facility allows it), that can be
passed out to guests just before you leave.

It sounds like it will be a lovely time. Congratulations!

Glenna Tooman, ForeverWed.com Wedding Consultant

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